Children with 5′-end NF1 gene mutations are more likely to have glioma

Objective:To ascertain the relationship between the germline NF1 gene mutation and glioma development in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).Methods:The relationship between the type and location of the germline NF1 mutation and the presence of a glioma was analyzed in 37 participants with NF1 from one institution (Washington University School of Medicine [WUSM]) with a clinical diagnosis of NF1. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using both unadjusted and weighted analyses of this data set in combination with 4 previously published data sets.Results:While no statistical significance was observed between the location and type of the NF1 mutation and glioma in the WUSM cohort, power calculations revealed that a sample size of 307 participants would be required to determine the predictive value of the position or type of the NF1 gene mutation. Combining our data set with 4 previously published data sets (n = 310), children with glioma were found to be more likely to harbor 5′-end gene mutations (OR = 2; p = 0.006). Moreover, while not clinically predictive due to insufficient sensitivity and specificity, this association with glioma was stronger for participants with 5′-end truncating (OR = 2.32; p = 0.005) or 5′-end nonsense (OR = 3.93; p = 0.005) mutations relative to those without glioma.Conclusions:Individuals with NF1 and glioma are more likely to harbor nonsense mutations in the 5′ end of the NF1 gene, suggesting that the NF1 mutation may be one predictive factor for glioma in this at-risk population.</jats:sec

Total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and toxicity of selected medicinal and aromatic plants

The importance of dietary antioxidant components for the prevention of some diseases and health quality improvement has attracted much research attention through the last decade. Vegetables and herbal infusions have been recognized as important antioxidant sources. Food industry shows significant interest in application of plant bioactive compounds for flavoring but also for preservation purposes, but attention should be given in case of high doses . In the current study were investigated the total phenolic content, the antioxidant activity and the toxicity of selected medicinal aromatic plants that are being consumed as decoctions or used as food additives

Aqueous copper(II) photoinduced polymerization of acrylates : low copper concentration and the importance of sodium halide salts

Photoinduced metal mediated radical polymerization is a rapidly developing technique which allows for the synthesis of macromolecules with defined molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distributions, although typically exhibiting significant limitations in aqueous media. Herein we demonstrate that the presence of alkali metal halide salts in conjunction with low copper concentration and UV irradiation, allows for the controlled polymerization of water soluble acrylates in aqueous media, yielding narrow molecular weight distributions and high conversions. Despite the aqueous environment which typically compromises polymer end group fidelity, chain extensions have also been successfully performed and different degrees of polymerization were targeted. Importantly, no conversion was observed in the absence of UV light and the polymerization could be switched “on” and “off” upon demand as demonstrated by intermittent light and dark periods and thus allowing access to spatiotemporal control

Instrumental Analysis of bacterial cells growth under incubation with Crocus sativus L. extracts using FT-IR spectroscopy

Foodborne illness is a threat to public health and challenge for food industry. Very young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly are at the most risk. Foodborne illness also known as food poisoning usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or food storage and is associated with microbial pathogens. Bacteria are a common cause of foodborne illness and especially Salmonella and Escherichia coli. At present food industry uses chemical additives in several processes in order to prevent bacterial growth and extend the shelf life of foods. However, these substances have adverse effects. In the current study, Crocus sativus L. extracts were tested as potential natural antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial activity of plants extracts was studied towards Gram-negative strains belonging to the above species. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was applied in order to evaluate the changes in the cellular composition of target bacterial cells after their exposure to extracts

Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against oral pathogens. Detection of cellular structural changes by FT-IR.

Periodontal diseases and dental caries are common oral disorders in human population with a multifactorial etiology closely related with the development of dental plaque. The latter is composed of native oral microbiota and it is accumulated on teeth surfaces. Several antiseptic agents are used widely to inhibit bacterial growth [1,2]. However, these substances have adverse effects. In the current study, six plants extracts namely, chamomile, dittany, lemon balm, rosemary, saffron and sage, were tested as potential natural antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial activity of plants extracts was studied towards Gram-positive strains belonging to Streptococcus species related to the oral health. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was applied in order to evaluate the changes in the cellular composition of target bacterial cells after their exposure to extracts of both plants

Copper mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization in aqueous media

Key advances within the past 10 years have transformed copper mediated radical polymerization from a technique which was not very tolerant to protic media into a range of closely related processes capable of control over the polymerization of a wide range of monomers in pure water at ppm catalyst loadings; yielding water soluble macromolecules of desired molecular weight, architecture and chemical functionality, with applications ranging from drug delivery to oil field recovery. In this review we highlight and critically evaluate the synthetic methods that have been developed to control radical polymerization in water using copper complexes, identify future areas of interest and challenges still to be overcome

Antimicrobial activity of Melissa officinalis L. and Crocus sativus L. against oral pathogens: Detection of cellular structural changes by FT-IR.

Periodontal diseases and dental caries are common oral disorders in human population with a multifactorial etiology closely related with the development of dental plaque. The latter is composed of native oral microbiota and it is accumulated on teeth surfaces. Several antiseptic agents are used widely to inhibit bacterial growth [1,2]. However, these substances have adverse effects. In the current study, Melissa officinalis L. and Crocus sativus L. extracts were tested as potential natural antimicrobial agents. The antimicrobial activity of plants extracts was studied towards Gram-positive strains belonging to Streptococcus species related to the oral health. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was applied in order to evaluate the changes in the cellular composition of target bacterial cells after their exposure to extracts of both plants

Comparative study of biological activities of Crocus sativus L. extracts and Lamiaceae plants’ extracts

In the current study, different extracts of Origanum dictamnus L. leaves (dittany), Melissa officinalis L. leaves (lemon balm) and Crocus sativus L. stigmas (saffron) were tested as potential natural antoxidant and antimicrobial agents

Copper mediated polymerization without external deoxygenation or oxygen scavengers

Overcoming the challenge of rigorous deoxygenation in copper mediated controlled radical polymerization processes (e.g. ATRP), we report a simple Cu(0)‐RDRP system in the absence of external additives (e.g. reducing agents, enzymes etc.). By simply adjusting the headspace of the reaction vessel, a wide range of monomers, namely acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides and styrene, can be polymerized in a controlled manner yielding polymers with low dispersities, near‐quantitative conversions and high end group fidelity. Significantly, this approach is scalable (~ 125 g), tolerant to elevated temperatures, compatible with both organic and aqueous media and does not rely on external stimuli which may limit the monomer pool. The robustness and versatility of this methodology is further demonstrated by the applicability to a number of other copper mediated techniques including conventional ATRP and light‐mediated approaches

Cu(0)-RDRP of methacrylates in DMSO: importance of the initiator

The controlled radical polymerization of methacrylates via Cu(0)-mediated RDRP is challenging in comparison to acrylates with most reports illustrating higher dispersities, lower monomer conversions and poorer end group fidelity relative to the acrylic analogues. Herein, we present the successful synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in DMSO by judicious selection of optimal reaction conditions. The effect of the initiator, ligand and temperature on the rate and control of the polymerization is investigated and discussed. Under carefully optimized conditions enhanced control over the molecular weight distributions is obtained furnishing methacrylic polymers with dispersities as low as 1.10, even at very high conversions. A range of methacrylates were found to be tolerant to the optimized polymerization conditions including hydrophobic, hydrophilic and functional methacrylates including methyl and benzyl methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate. The control retained during the polymerization is further highlighted by in situ chain extensions yielding well-defined block polymethacrylates